Unanswered issues concern residents

Re: Laura Braden: Sustainable way to raise fish, The Guardian May 13, 2017.

Recent news reports including Laura Braden’s article published on May 13 totally miss the point of the local opposition to the AquaBounty plant expansion in Rollo Bay. As property owners in Rollo Bay, we share the local opposition and frustration with the lack of clarity and transparency in the process being followed by governments and the company for this project.

We are puzzled by the government’s (provincial and federal) endorsement and financial assistance to AquaBounty to go forward with a GMO salmon growing facility in Rollo Bay without carrying out a new Environmental Impact Assessment. The company plans have changed dramatically in the last year and the original assessment was very specific and limited to salmon egg production and not a full-blown salmon hatchery.

There is a significant difference in the environmental footprint for the much larger scale plant particularly as it relates to water usage and water/ waste dispersal.

There are numerous and substantive unanswered questions, particularly with respect the impact on local water quality — answers not yet forthcoming from either level of government or the U.S.-owned company. We have asked for a more robust local consultation with officials from each level of government and senior company executives to provide the assurances and commitments local residents need to grant the “social licence” to have this revised and significant player in our community proceed with its project. Irene Peters MacDonald and Colin MacDonald,

Rollo Bay